The story of Flynns Funeral Directors begins three generations ago in the 1961.  Patrick (Paddy) Flynn, was, along with his father Mick and grand uncle John Hynes was one of the first taxi men in the town of Athlone.  Paddy, a well respected businessman in the town, and his wife Margaret (Peggy), the driving force behind Paddy, decided to establish a funeral business from the their home in Wolfe Tone Terrace, The Strand overlooking the Shannon river in the middle of Athlone town. 

Paddy started out by purchasing a Chrysler Belvedere Hearse and two coffins in 1960 but didn’t arrange his first funeral until 1961. Assisted by Peggy and his brothers Chris and Noel, the demand for Paddys services increased year by year. Paddy and Peggy led a busy life, between the taxi business, raising three children (Carmel, Seamus and Marie) and their new venture in the funeral service industry. 

Paddy, Peggy and Family moved up the Strand with the view to develop a funeral parlour in September 1979. It is the old site of James Norton Boatbuilders. The Funeral Home at "Weirview", The Strand, was opened in 1992 to offer families a comfortable surroundings to allow friends and family pay their final respects to loved ones. Situated on the banks of the Shannon, the peaceful atmosphere is the perfect setting for final farewells, offering privacy and calm.

Paddy’s son Seamus started working in the taxi business and the funeral service. Seamus spent 2 years in London from 1985 to hone his skills and learn his trade in Embalming. After working alongside his father for many years, Paddy's son Seamus, the current proprietor, took over the running of the business in 1993 after the untimely death of Paddy.

In 2000, Seamus’s brother in law, Gerard (Carmel’s Husband) joined Seamus in the business to help with growing popularity and demands of the funeral services.

In 2008, a third generation of the Flynn family became involved in the business, with Seamus' son, Seán, joining Seamus as a qualified embalmer and funeral director. In 2013, Seamus’s son Niall joined as funeral director. 

When Paddy and Peggy established the Funeral service more than 50 years ago they did so out of a desire to support and care for local bereaved families.  That support and care is something which still lies at the heart of the firm today.